WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:05.620 Well, good morning, church. 00:00:06.280 --> 00:00:11.439 We are continuing on in our series on ecclesiology, the doctrine of the church. 00:00:11.640 --> 00:00:16.519 This morning, we will be observing the Lord's Supper at the end of the service. 00:00:16.719 --> 00:00:22.580 And so we are taking this opportunity to talk about the ordinances of the church. 00:00:22.920 --> 00:00:26.300 The Lord's Supper is one of the two ordinances in a Baptist church. 00:00:26.300 --> 00:00:30.839 And we're going to dive into both of those ordinances today and talk about them. 00:00:31.740 --> 00:00:40.780 And by way of recap, we have adopted some statements, some sentiments that we can agree on as a church. 00:00:40.939 --> 00:00:44.500 And so let's try to go through these by way of reminder and say them together. 00:00:44.640 --> 00:00:50.859 Ready? We don't just go to church. We are the church. That's certainly true. 00:00:50.859 --> 00:00:57.219 And then secondly, the church is not about me. The church is about God. 00:00:57.799 --> 00:01:03.740 And then thirdly, don't let what is secondary become primary. 00:01:04.120 --> 00:01:08.340 Can we flip that in reverse as well? Don't let what is primary become secondary. 00:01:08.519 --> 00:01:13.960 Let's say that one too. Ready? Don't let what is primary become secondary. 00:01:13.959 --> 00:01:20.679 Both of those are true. And of course, Jesus is primary. We want to keep him at the head. 00:01:21.319 --> 00:01:24.119 So finally, let's say this one together. Ready? 00:01:24.679 --> 00:01:29.219 We gather, we grow, we give, and we go. 00:01:29.679 --> 00:01:33.859 And that is something that we should all be keeping in front of us. 00:01:34.219 --> 00:01:40.439 And you can kind of see the actual motto that the church has adopted there on the logo that Tabitha designed. 00:01:40.439 --> 00:01:43.399 Loving God, seeking truth, serving people. 00:01:44.019 --> 00:01:46.799 And these are the ways that we do that as a church. 00:01:46.899 --> 00:01:50.759 We gather, we grow, we give, and we go with the gospel of Jesus. 00:01:51.819 --> 00:01:55.219 So, today, we're going to talk about the two church ordinances. 00:01:55.859 --> 00:02:00.140 Number one, baptism. And number two, the Lord's Supper. 00:02:00.920 --> 00:02:04.000 All kinds of different churches will add in different things. 00:02:04.140 --> 00:02:08.259 But in the Bible, in the New Testament, when God established the local church, 00:02:08.259 --> 00:02:14.299 we see that these are the two ordinances that he gave to the church to continually observe. 00:02:14.719 --> 00:02:15.659 Today, we're going to look at that. 00:02:15.799 --> 00:02:17.319 Why did he give them to us? 00:02:17.479 --> 00:02:19.379 What purpose are they supposed to fulfill? 00:02:19.819 --> 00:02:25.500 And what should they do in terms of helping us be better followers of Jesus? 00:02:27.139 --> 00:02:31.519 Oftentimes, I'm asked what version of the Bible I read from or preach from generally. 00:02:31.759 --> 00:02:34.099 And usually, it is the Christian Standard Bible. 00:02:34.099 --> 00:02:38.239 That is the Bible that the Southern Baptist Convention, their publishing arm, 00:02:38.319 --> 00:02:40.099 Brodman and Holman publishers put out. 00:02:40.359 --> 00:02:43.120 How many of you guys remember the old Holman Christian Standard Bible? 00:02:43.479 --> 00:02:44.500 Anybody have one of those? 00:02:44.719 --> 00:02:46.019 That one's been around for a while. 00:02:46.099 --> 00:02:49.740 This is kind of an update to the Holman Christian Standard. 00:02:49.840 --> 00:02:53.000 They dropped the Holman part and just said it's the Christian Standard Bible. 00:02:53.120 --> 00:02:57.099 But there are some significant updates in terms of more accurate language, etc. 00:02:57.099 --> 00:03:05.840 And it's my personal favorite in terms of striking a balance between readability and faithfulness to the original text. 00:03:06.780 --> 00:03:12.359 But whatever Bible you have in front of you, as long as it's one of the mainstream translations out there, 00:03:12.719 --> 00:03:16.240 should be just fine and should be very similar to what I'm reading. 00:03:16.819 --> 00:03:21.299 Probably my favorite study Bible is the Christian Standard Study Bible. 00:03:22.039 --> 00:03:25.579 Absolutely outstanding notes that have been included in that. 00:03:25.580 --> 00:03:28.700 So I just wanted to let you know that's what I'm generally reading from. 00:03:29.240 --> 00:03:30.219 Luke chapter 3. 00:03:30.340 --> 00:03:31.880 Go to Luke chapter 3 if you would. 00:03:33.920 --> 00:03:35.740 Luke chapter 3. 00:03:37.720 --> 00:03:42.200 We'll read a couple of verses here and then get into the sermon today. 00:03:42.660 --> 00:03:44.439 Luke chapter 3 verse 15. 00:03:44.820 --> 00:03:46.900 Would you mind standing with me if you're able to? 00:03:47.000 --> 00:03:49.000 I know we've stood up and sat down a couple times. 00:03:49.200 --> 00:03:52.640 If you're able to stand easily, join me in standing if you would. 00:03:52.639 --> 00:03:57.199 And let's read these two verses together and then you may be seated after that. 00:03:58.000 --> 00:04:00.619 Luke chapter 3 and verse 15. 00:04:00.859 --> 00:04:03.159 Now the people were waiting expectantly. 00:04:04.459 --> 00:04:09.719 And all of them were questioning in their hearts whether John, talking about John the Baptist, 00:04:10.259 --> 00:04:12.259 whether he might be the Messiah. 00:04:13.099 --> 00:04:15.119 Everybody familiar with what the Messiah was? 00:04:15.120 --> 00:04:23.000 The long-awaited deliverer, the coming king that the people of Israel were promised back in the Old Testament 00:04:23.000 --> 00:04:25.819 and awaited for thousands of years. 00:04:25.980 --> 00:04:32.540 And so they're saying, is John this great apostle who's going around and, 00:04:33.100 --> 00:04:35.240 you know, prophet I should say. 00:04:35.560 --> 00:04:36.720 Apostles weren't a thing yet. 00:04:36.720 --> 00:04:40.640 But the great prophet John who was going around and baptizing people, 00:04:40.780 --> 00:04:43.440 talking about the coming Messiah, the kingdom of God. 00:04:43.900 --> 00:04:45.200 Is he the Messiah? 00:04:45.320 --> 00:04:47.760 So John answered them in verse 16. 00:04:48.680 --> 00:04:56.840 I baptize you with water, but one is coming who is more powerful than I. 00:04:57.160 --> 00:05:00.740 One who is more powerful than I am is coming. 00:05:00.740 --> 00:05:05.960 I am not worthy to untie the strap of his sandals. 00:05:06.379 --> 00:05:11.160 He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire. 00:05:11.740 --> 00:05:16.060 So there's a distinction there in two kinds of baptisms. 00:05:16.759 --> 00:05:19.519 We're going to refer back to that in just a moment. 00:05:19.900 --> 00:05:25.319 There's that water baptism and then there is the Holy Spirit baptism. 00:05:25.319 --> 00:05:33.240 So this morning, I hope what we can take away from this today is we are the church 00:05:33.240 --> 00:05:36.560 and we must turn our eyes upon Jesus. 00:05:37.019 --> 00:05:42.920 Everything we do as a church should be pointing us back to Jesus. 00:05:43.680 --> 00:05:46.500 If it's not, we shouldn't be doing it. 00:05:46.500 --> 00:05:54.459 So even the ordinance of the church, baptism, the Lord's Supper, these things should be pointing 00:05:54.459 --> 00:05:56.319 our eyes back to Jesus. 00:05:56.519 --> 00:05:58.060 Let's pray together and then you can be seated. 00:05:58.439 --> 00:06:00.899 God, I pray that you would bless the reading of your word today. 00:06:01.300 --> 00:06:04.420 I pray that you would cut through the darkness of our own hearts. 00:06:05.000 --> 00:06:10.079 Let the Holy Spirit in those who are your children in this room this morning speak loudly 00:06:10.079 --> 00:06:11.000 to us today. 00:06:11.300 --> 00:06:13.839 Show us exactly what we ought to do. 00:06:13.839 --> 00:06:16.759 And it's in Jesus' name we pray. 00:06:16.919 --> 00:06:17.139 Amen. 00:06:17.319 --> 00:06:18.000 You may be seated. 00:06:20.339 --> 00:06:22.639 Turning our eyes upon Jesus. 00:06:22.819 --> 00:06:25.939 So how does that relate to the ordinances of the church? 00:06:26.379 --> 00:06:29.560 Number one, baptism does point us to Jesus. 00:06:29.779 --> 00:06:31.899 Baptism points us to Jesus. 00:06:32.339 --> 00:06:38.459 We just saw that John the Baptist was going around baptizing and he was using that activity 00:06:38.459 --> 00:06:41.359 to point people to the coming Messiah. 00:06:41.360 --> 00:06:44.960 The church has the same job description. 00:06:45.460 --> 00:06:50.620 We should be, according to Matthew 28, the great commission given to the church, we should 00:06:50.620 --> 00:06:54.980 be baptizing people and we should be doing that to point people to Jesus. 00:06:55.460 --> 00:07:00.620 So John chapter one in verse 33, I myself did not know him. 00:07:00.720 --> 00:07:01.900 John is speaking. 00:07:01.899 --> 00:07:09.079 He said, the one who sent me to baptize with water told me the man on whom you see the spirit 00:07:09.079 --> 00:07:13.319 come down and remain is the one who will baptize with the Holy Spirit. 00:07:13.459 --> 00:07:15.759 Here's those two baptisms we're talking about. 00:07:16.339 --> 00:07:18.199 This is talking about Jesus. 00:07:18.759 --> 00:07:21.699 John says, I didn't know who it was going to be. 00:07:21.699 --> 00:07:29.680 But the one who sent me, which is God, sent him to baptize with water said, here's the 00:07:29.680 --> 00:07:31.680 one who's going to baptize with the Holy Spirit. 00:07:31.759 --> 00:07:34.639 It's the one on whom the spirit comes down and remains. 00:07:34.759 --> 00:07:40.419 And we see in the scriptures that actually play out in the spirit in the form of a dove 00:07:40.419 --> 00:07:42.480 coming and resting on Jesus. 00:07:42.480 --> 00:07:46.040 And he is the one who then baptizes with the spirit. 00:07:46.400 --> 00:07:52.860 So baptism, water baptism as practiced by a church is not the baptism of the Holy Spirit. 00:07:52.960 --> 00:07:54.080 These are two different things. 00:07:54.860 --> 00:07:59.460 Sometimes different man-made religions will get these confused and they'll try to equate 00:07:59.460 --> 00:08:05.160 those two together and say, you're not baptized with the Holy Spirit unless you're baptized 00:08:05.160 --> 00:08:06.300 with water, et cetera. 00:08:06.400 --> 00:08:07.759 But those are two different things. 00:08:07.900 --> 00:08:10.500 Jesus came to baptize with the Holy Spirit. 00:08:10.500 --> 00:08:13.980 That is talking about reconciling man with God. 00:08:14.079 --> 00:08:15.839 That's talking about the forgiveness of sins. 00:08:16.160 --> 00:08:21.620 We call it salvation, being saved from the punishment of your sin and born again into God's 00:08:21.620 --> 00:08:21.879 family. 00:08:22.180 --> 00:08:25.819 If that hasn't happened for you this morning, then you don't have to worry about anything 00:08:25.819 --> 00:08:26.800 else I'm talking about. 00:08:27.060 --> 00:08:29.959 That's the number one thing you need to get rectified before you leave today. 00:08:30.740 --> 00:08:37.179 You must find peace with God by repenting of your sins and turning to him for forgiveness 00:08:37.179 --> 00:08:41.939 and placing all your faith and hope in Jesus for salvation. 00:08:42.939 --> 00:08:45.599 So that is the baptism of the Holy Spirit. 00:08:45.719 --> 00:08:47.159 That's what Jesus came to do. 00:08:47.419 --> 00:08:51.179 He said, I came to seek and to save those who were lost. 00:08:52.120 --> 00:08:54.859 He wanted to baptize them with the Holy Spirit. 00:08:54.860 --> 00:09:02.580 That means the indwelling of the Holy Spirit of God, the spirit form of God in you at all 00:09:02.580 --> 00:09:03.159 times. 00:09:03.600 --> 00:09:08.379 And if you have put your faith in Jesus, then you have that baptism of the Holy Spirit. 00:09:09.620 --> 00:09:11.700 But then John was baptizing with water. 00:09:12.120 --> 00:09:13.759 What's this water baptism about? 00:09:14.200 --> 00:09:18.300 Well, the church has been tasked with water baptism. 00:09:18.440 --> 00:09:22.180 The church baptizes with water after salvation. 00:09:22.179 --> 00:09:27.179 After that baptism of the Holy Spirit, at the moment of salvation, placing their faith 00:09:27.179 --> 00:09:30.519 in Christ, then the church baptizes with water. 00:09:30.939 --> 00:09:33.620 See, God baptizes with the Holy Spirit at salvation. 00:09:34.039 --> 00:09:36.259 So these are two distinct baptisms. 00:09:38.239 --> 00:09:45.159 Watchman Nee, great theologian and was persecuted for his faith, wrote many, many books that have 00:09:45.159 --> 00:09:47.679 been a benefit to preachers throughout the decades. 00:09:47.679 --> 00:09:52.339 He said this, baptizing is an outward expression of an inward faith. 00:09:52.639 --> 00:09:58.559 There's no reason to get baptized publicly in a church in the water if you have not yet 00:09:58.559 --> 00:09:59.719 put your faith in Jesus. 00:10:00.879 --> 00:10:06.939 You could probably actually do damage to someone by baptizing them if they haven't put their 00:10:06.939 --> 00:10:07.659 faith in Jesus. 00:10:07.659 --> 00:10:12.379 Because then the significance of that moment and everybody clapping and applauding and telling 00:10:12.379 --> 00:10:17.720 them good job, that could possibly sneak into their minds and convince them that they are 00:10:17.720 --> 00:10:22.360 a child of God when they have never put their faith in Christ and repented of their sin and 00:10:22.360 --> 00:10:22.960 turned from it. 00:10:23.919 --> 00:10:28.500 So baptism should only be an outward expression of something that has already happened. 00:10:30.179 --> 00:10:32.059 You're putting your faith in Jesus. 00:10:32.240 --> 00:10:35.080 God opening your eyes, bringing you from darkness into light. 00:10:35.080 --> 00:10:43.340 Then you can stand up and publicly testify, express that faith outwardly through baptism. 00:10:44.759 --> 00:10:48.620 Colossians chapter 2, you don't have to turn there unless you'd like to, but I like how the New 00:10:48.620 --> 00:10:50.620 Living Translation phrases this. 00:10:50.720 --> 00:10:54.180 It says, you were buried with Christ when you were baptized. 00:10:54.639 --> 00:10:58.040 And with him, you were raised to new life. 00:10:59.060 --> 00:11:00.879 Thank God Jesus came back to life. 00:11:00.879 --> 00:11:03.519 When we baptize them, we don't have to hold them under the water. 00:11:05.539 --> 00:11:08.700 It would probably hurt attendance if we did that long enough. 00:11:10.179 --> 00:11:16.000 With him, you were raised to new life because you trusted the mighty power of God. 00:11:16.100 --> 00:11:18.139 That's talking about that Holy Spirit baptism. 00:11:18.980 --> 00:11:26.620 That's talking about putting your trust in the saving power of Jesus who raised Christ from the dead. 00:11:26.620 --> 00:11:31.159 Put that faith in God and then you are raised to new life. 00:11:31.240 --> 00:11:32.960 So baptism is a picture of that. 00:11:33.259 --> 00:11:36.919 That's why we stand them in the water, we bury them, and we lift them out. 00:11:39.039 --> 00:11:39.480 Acts. 00:11:43.200 --> 00:11:44.120 Did I miss one? 00:11:44.940 --> 00:11:45.360 I did. 00:11:48.419 --> 00:11:49.240 Hold up a minute. 00:11:51.840 --> 00:11:53.120 Okay, here we go. 00:11:53.120 --> 00:11:55.039 I'm just going to read this one. 00:11:55.159 --> 00:11:58.200 I think the slide isn't on there and I should have put it on there. 00:11:58.580 --> 00:11:59.899 Acts chapter 8 and verse 12. 00:12:00.460 --> 00:12:06.799 When they believed Philip as he proclaimed the good news of the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, 00:12:07.000 --> 00:12:09.320 they were baptized, both men and women. 00:12:09.399 --> 00:12:09.820 Here it is. 00:12:10.159 --> 00:12:11.460 Acts chapter 8 and verse 12. 00:12:11.820 --> 00:12:16.860 When they believed Philip, Philip the evangelist, was out preaching the good news of the kingdom of God, 00:12:16.919 --> 00:12:20.399 the name of Jesus, they were baptized, both men and women. 00:12:20.399 --> 00:12:22.259 That happened after they believed. 00:12:22.259 --> 00:12:26.220 So they put their faith in Jesus first and then they were baptized. 00:12:26.519 --> 00:12:32.559 So baptism is an important step to publicly identifying yourself as a follower of Jesus. 00:12:33.259 --> 00:12:34.759 Is it necessary for salvation? 00:12:35.019 --> 00:12:35.299 No. 00:12:35.919 --> 00:12:38.139 Is it necessary for sanctification? 00:12:38.139 --> 00:12:46.259 If God has commanded you to be baptized, and if he has provided the means and opportunity for baptism, 00:12:46.259 --> 00:12:55.340 and you say no to the Holy Spirit of God, then that is limiting your sanctification or your growth as a believer and follower of Jesus. 00:12:55.340 --> 00:13:03.940 Now, that doesn't mean that everyone who has ever put their faith in Jesus and hasn't been baptized for extenuating circumstances and different reasons, 00:13:04.040 --> 00:13:05.920 that doesn't mean they can't grow as a Christian. 00:13:05.919 --> 00:13:14.539 But for those who have the opportunity to, who are encouraged to do so, and read in the scriptures where God commands us to do that, 00:13:15.059 --> 00:13:21.099 then if you say no to that and say, I'm just too embarrassed or I just don't want to do that, then yes, that is wrong. 00:13:21.179 --> 00:13:24.599 You should be following the word of God in that way. 00:13:24.600 --> 00:13:31.519 And so it's an important step in publicly identifying yourself as a Jesus follower. 00:13:31.920 --> 00:13:36.420 Baptism is an important step to publicly partnering with the local church. 00:13:36.879 --> 00:13:40.019 The ordinance of baptism was given to the local church. 00:13:40.460 --> 00:13:42.440 Let's look in Acts chapter 2. 00:13:42.980 --> 00:13:43.820 Acts chapter 2. 00:13:43.940 --> 00:13:51.180 Those who believed what Peter said were baptized and added to the church that day about 3,000 in all. 00:13:51.179 --> 00:13:55.359 Can you imagine adding 3,000 people to our church in one day? 00:13:57.359 --> 00:14:00.620 We might have to find a different venue to meet. 00:14:02.359 --> 00:14:05.019 That would be just about all the people in Henrietta, wouldn't it? 00:14:08.279 --> 00:14:09.259 No, that's true. 00:14:09.319 --> 00:14:10.479 There would be a couple hundred left over. 00:14:10.819 --> 00:14:11.239 You're right. 00:14:11.639 --> 00:14:13.579 It's like, nope, I think there's more than that. 00:14:15.099 --> 00:14:19.639 Those who believed what Peter said when he preached the gospel to them, 00:14:19.639 --> 00:14:25.019 they were then baptized and in so doing added to the church. 00:14:25.120 --> 00:14:32.199 That is the pathway that God has often set forth in the New Testament for partnering with a church 00:14:32.199 --> 00:14:36.899 is through being baptized into that local body of believers. 00:14:37.100 --> 00:14:38.679 Again, this is not a part of salvation. 00:14:39.879 --> 00:14:41.360 It is a public testimony. 00:14:41.480 --> 00:14:42.699 It's a public identifying. 00:14:43.019 --> 00:14:45.879 Say, I'm not only identifying as a Jesus follower, 00:14:45.879 --> 00:14:49.559 I'm identifying with this group of Jesus followers. 00:14:49.799 --> 00:14:54.779 So when you see people moving these waters up here in the baptistry, getting baptized, 00:14:55.259 --> 00:14:58.980 they are being baptized into our assembly of believers. 00:15:00.860 --> 00:15:01.879 Here's the meaning. 00:15:02.360 --> 00:15:04.679 You see Jesus on the cross, 00:15:05.080 --> 00:15:07.179 and of course we stand him up in the baptistry. 00:15:07.720 --> 00:15:08.320 He died. 00:15:08.419 --> 00:15:09.120 He was buried. 00:15:09.720 --> 00:15:10.759 We died with Christ. 00:15:10.860 --> 00:15:11.960 We're buried with Christ. 00:15:11.960 --> 00:15:16.400 And then he was resurrected and raised to new life. 00:15:17.259 --> 00:15:20.340 So baptism points us to Jesus. 00:15:20.540 --> 00:15:24.879 Number two, the Lord's Supper points us to Jesus. 00:15:25.480 --> 00:15:28.160 The Lord's Supper points us to Jesus. 00:15:29.500 --> 00:15:32.420 Jesus is present with his Father. 00:15:33.240 --> 00:15:35.480 He is not in the communion elements. 00:15:37.960 --> 00:15:40.120 How many of you all think that's kind of obvious? 00:15:41.960 --> 00:15:44.100 Like when you pass these out and you eat them, 00:15:44.759 --> 00:15:47.220 you didn't see Jesus in that cup. 00:15:48.920 --> 00:15:53.000 Listen, this, believe it or not, has become a point of contention 00:15:53.000 --> 00:15:58.920 among many different religious assemblies and churches across the world. 00:16:00.200 --> 00:16:03.160 Jesus said, take, eat, this is my body. 00:16:03.879 --> 00:16:05.580 Drink the cup, this is my blood. 00:16:05.580 --> 00:16:09.540 And so sometimes people would take that literally and say, 00:16:09.740 --> 00:16:15.340 okay, this piece of bread that we tore off the loaf or this piece of bread 00:16:15.340 --> 00:16:17.740 that, you know, we crisped up and we're eating it, 00:16:17.800 --> 00:16:24.720 this is actually the physical body of Jesus who died on the cross, was buried. 00:16:26.220 --> 00:16:27.180 Here's the problem. 00:16:27.840 --> 00:16:30.720 The Bible teaches us that Jesus is with his Father. 00:16:31.320 --> 00:16:32.879 John 16 and verse 28. 00:16:32.879 --> 00:16:35.840 I came from the Father and entered the world. 00:16:36.240 --> 00:16:40.039 Now I am leaving the world and going back to the Father. 00:16:40.539 --> 00:16:41.299 John 16. 00:16:41.840 --> 00:16:44.120 It is to your advantage that I am leaving, 00:16:44.439 --> 00:16:48.080 for if I do not leave, the Helper will not come to you. 00:16:48.320 --> 00:16:50.840 But if I go, I will send him to you. 00:16:51.460 --> 00:16:53.600 See, Jesus had to leave this world 00:16:53.600 --> 00:16:55.899 because the Holy Spirit of God was the one 00:16:55.899 --> 00:16:57.519 who was supposed to then go with us, 00:16:57.740 --> 00:16:59.519 all of us, all over the world. 00:16:59.519 --> 00:17:02.139 When Jesus was physically walking around on this planet, 00:17:02.340 --> 00:17:03.879 he couldn't be everywhere at once. 00:17:04.359 --> 00:17:07.940 He couldn't be everywhere all the time in his physical person. 00:17:08.440 --> 00:17:11.579 But when the Comforter came, when the Holy Spirit came, 00:17:11.879 --> 00:17:14.339 the Healer, the Helper, 00:17:15.779 --> 00:17:17.500 now he can go with us everywhere. 00:17:18.220 --> 00:17:19.980 So he said it's better this way. 00:17:20.299 --> 00:17:23.079 How many of you guys have wished that Jesus was still physically with us 00:17:23.079 --> 00:17:24.720 like he was all those years ago? 00:17:24.720 --> 00:17:25.920 I've wished that before. 00:17:26.759 --> 00:17:28.380 Like, man, they have so many questions. 00:17:29.000 --> 00:17:31.059 There's so many things I need help with. 00:17:31.980 --> 00:17:34.860 And I'm sure, and we went through the series on Wednesday nights, 00:17:34.960 --> 00:17:35.440 The Chosen, 00:17:35.980 --> 00:17:41.339 and of course, no theatrical portrayal that man puts together 00:17:41.339 --> 00:17:45.319 is going to totally capture the essence of the Christ 00:17:45.319 --> 00:17:47.279 walking around on this earth. 00:17:47.440 --> 00:17:50.579 But they did about as good a job as you could hope to, probably. 00:17:50.579 --> 00:17:55.079 And they did an outstanding job of trying to capture what we read in the Bible 00:17:55.079 --> 00:18:00.079 and how Jesus was when He walked around with His disciples 00:18:00.079 --> 00:18:02.079 and healing people and teaching and all this. 00:18:02.679 --> 00:18:05.579 And so it's an incredibly magnetic person. 00:18:06.259 --> 00:18:07.879 It's an incredibly magnetic personality. 00:18:08.279 --> 00:18:09.480 And you're drawn to that. 00:18:09.819 --> 00:18:11.599 I'm thinking, man, if Jesus was just here, 00:18:12.299 --> 00:18:13.659 He could solve all these problems. 00:18:14.259 --> 00:18:15.859 He could end all these disagreements. 00:18:16.379 --> 00:18:17.539 He could fix everything. 00:18:17.539 --> 00:18:20.920 But then we remember the Holy Spirit of God is actually here. 00:18:21.720 --> 00:18:24.779 God is here, just as present with us 00:18:24.779 --> 00:18:27.599 as Jesus was with those He walked with on this earth. 00:18:28.799 --> 00:18:32.139 And so we have access to just as much of God, 00:18:32.299 --> 00:18:35.859 even more so because He's with us wherever we go. 00:18:36.779 --> 00:18:38.559 How many times do you read in Scripture 00:18:38.559 --> 00:18:40.519 where Jesus would go off, 00:18:40.599 --> 00:18:42.339 and the disciples would be wondering where He is? 00:18:42.700 --> 00:18:44.200 We don't have to wonder where God is. 00:18:44.200 --> 00:18:49.640 Jesus, through the Holy Spirit, is always with us. 00:18:51.740 --> 00:18:54.480 If we have put our faith in Christ, 00:18:54.900 --> 00:18:57.620 then He goes everywhere with us. 00:18:58.180 --> 00:19:01.720 Now, that doesn't mean that we're eating His body 00:19:01.720 --> 00:19:03.519 when we eat the Lord's Supper. 00:19:03.740 --> 00:19:06.880 We're not drinking His blood when we drink the Lord's Supper. 00:19:07.440 --> 00:19:09.580 And this is one of these items 00:19:09.580 --> 00:19:12.460 that is not a first-level doctrinal issue. 00:19:12.460 --> 00:19:14.960 That means you can still go to heaven 00:19:14.960 --> 00:19:19.240 if you believe that you're eating Jesus' body 00:19:19.240 --> 00:19:20.279 and drinking His blood. 00:19:20.759 --> 00:19:23.059 I believe, according to the Bible, you're wrong about that. 00:19:23.360 --> 00:19:25.840 But as long as you put your faith in Christ for salvation, 00:19:25.960 --> 00:19:26.940 the forgiveness of your sins, 00:19:27.000 --> 00:19:28.059 you can still go to heaven 00:19:28.059 --> 00:19:29.680 and be wrong about something else. 00:19:29.779 --> 00:19:32.920 I am confident that I have done that thing, 00:19:33.019 --> 00:19:35.319 that first thing, that most important thing, 00:19:35.819 --> 00:19:37.000 the primary thing, 00:19:37.660 --> 00:19:39.500 and I've gotten that part right. 00:19:39.500 --> 00:19:41.000 Now, the secondary things, 00:19:41.160 --> 00:19:43.400 I think I'm right, but I might be wrong. 00:19:44.180 --> 00:19:45.880 I might absolutely be wrong. 00:19:46.180 --> 00:19:48.599 And there have been things that I've come across in my life 00:19:48.599 --> 00:19:49.940 and found out I was wrong about 00:19:49.940 --> 00:19:52.200 and had to change my position on things. 00:19:53.180 --> 00:19:54.759 But as a church, 00:19:54.799 --> 00:19:57.940 we believe that Jesus is present with His Father 00:19:57.940 --> 00:19:59.700 and the elements, 00:20:00.059 --> 00:20:01.940 the bread and the juice 00:20:01.940 --> 00:20:04.000 that we take at the Lord's Supper 00:20:04.000 --> 00:20:08.759 are symbolic of Jesus' body and blood. 00:20:08.839 --> 00:20:09.779 They remind us. 00:20:09.880 --> 00:20:13.319 The communion elements remind us of Jesus' sacrifice. 00:20:14.099 --> 00:20:14.779 They are reminders. 00:20:14.980 --> 00:20:16.380 They point us back to Him. 00:20:16.920 --> 00:20:18.779 They point our eyes back on Jesus 00:20:18.779 --> 00:20:20.059 because it's so easy 00:20:20.059 --> 00:20:22.000 to let the cares of this world 00:20:22.000 --> 00:20:25.240 get in the way of our relationship, 00:20:25.440 --> 00:20:27.019 our most important relationship. 00:20:27.019 --> 00:20:30.920 And so we put our eyes back on Jesus 00:20:30.920 --> 00:20:33.960 when we take communion. 00:20:34.099 --> 00:20:34.819 Say, what's communion? 00:20:35.220 --> 00:20:36.599 I thought we were calling it the Lord's Supper. 00:20:36.920 --> 00:20:38.079 Communion, Lord's Supper, 00:20:38.599 --> 00:20:40.759 basically we use them interchangeably. 00:20:41.819 --> 00:20:44.019 They kind of come different terms, 00:20:45.099 --> 00:20:46.859 theological terms that have been passed down 00:20:46.859 --> 00:20:49.859 through different types of churches, etc. 00:20:50.039 --> 00:20:51.879 You might have heard it called the Eucharist 00:20:51.879 --> 00:20:52.960 in some churches. 00:20:53.039 --> 00:20:54.700 Anybody grow up taking the Eucharist? 00:20:54.700 --> 00:20:57.539 That's usually more of a Catholic term. 00:20:59.000 --> 00:21:01.460 But basically these things 00:21:01.460 --> 00:21:04.960 are all talking about the Lord's Supper, 00:21:05.200 --> 00:21:06.740 which Jesus modeled for us, 00:21:06.799 --> 00:21:08.880 and we'll read some scripture about that later. 00:21:09.819 --> 00:21:12.600 But these elements, the bread and the juice, 00:21:12.740 --> 00:21:14.080 remind us of Jesus' sacrifice. 00:21:14.360 --> 00:21:15.559 So 1 Corinthians, here we go. 00:21:15.640 --> 00:21:16.460 1 Corinthians 11. 00:21:16.700 --> 00:21:18.420 Would you turn over there in your Bibles if you could? 00:21:18.779 --> 00:21:21.600 1 Corinthians 11 and verse 23. 00:21:22.140 --> 00:21:23.840 We'll spend just a little time there 00:21:23.839 --> 00:21:26.740 and then we will be done today. 00:21:26.740 --> 00:21:30.879 1 Corinthians 11, verse 23. 00:21:32.500 --> 00:21:33.939 For I received from the Lord 00:21:33.939 --> 00:21:36.039 what I also passed on to you. 00:21:37.179 --> 00:21:38.919 Paul is writing to the church in Corinth 00:21:38.919 --> 00:21:41.899 and he's talking directly about the Lord's Supper. 00:21:42.339 --> 00:21:43.959 On the night when he was betrayed, 00:21:44.899 --> 00:21:46.659 Jesus, the Lord Jesus, 00:21:46.660 --> 00:21:49.820 took bread and when he had given thanks, 00:21:49.960 --> 00:21:51.320 broke it and said, 00:21:52.019 --> 00:21:54.860 this is my body which is for you. 00:21:55.259 --> 00:21:57.360 Do this in remembrance of me. 00:21:57.680 --> 00:21:58.700 In the same way, 00:21:59.100 --> 00:22:01.400 he also took the cup after supper 00:22:01.400 --> 00:22:04.340 and said, this cup is the new covenant in my blood. 00:22:04.759 --> 00:22:06.580 Do this as often as you drink it 00:22:06.580 --> 00:22:08.340 in remembrance of me. 00:22:08.960 --> 00:22:11.380 For as often as you eat this bread 00:22:11.380 --> 00:22:12.560 and drink the cup, 00:22:12.800 --> 00:22:14.560 you proclaim the Lord's death 00:22:14.559 --> 00:22:15.679 until he comes. 00:22:15.740 --> 00:22:16.659 You see that last part? 00:22:16.980 --> 00:22:19.519 You proclaim the Lord's death 00:22:19.519 --> 00:22:20.679 until he comes. 00:22:21.019 --> 00:22:22.500 That is a job. 00:22:22.720 --> 00:22:24.539 When you see these kinds of phrases 00:22:24.539 --> 00:22:25.419 in the Bible, 00:22:25.539 --> 00:22:26.700 as you're reading through the Bible, 00:22:27.099 --> 00:22:28.579 let them pop out to you 00:22:28.579 --> 00:22:30.480 like big bright flashing lights. 00:22:30.819 --> 00:22:32.079 Proclaim the Lord's death 00:22:32.079 --> 00:22:32.919 until he comes. 00:22:33.139 --> 00:22:34.460 That sounds like something 00:22:34.460 --> 00:22:35.940 the church is given to do. 00:22:36.079 --> 00:22:36.559 It is. 00:22:37.220 --> 00:22:38.579 That is our mission. 00:22:38.919 --> 00:22:41.339 When we talked about going last Sunday, 00:22:41.339 --> 00:22:44.539 we talked about spreading the gospel last Sunday. 00:22:44.679 --> 00:22:46.339 That is what this is about. 00:22:46.759 --> 00:22:48.919 So when we take the Lord's supper, 00:22:49.119 --> 00:22:51.399 it points our eyes back to Jesus 00:22:51.399 --> 00:22:53.279 and we remind ourselves 00:22:53.279 --> 00:22:54.539 and anyone present 00:22:54.539 --> 00:22:56.559 about the sacrifice 00:22:56.559 --> 00:22:58.139 that Jesus made on the cross, 00:22:58.139 --> 00:23:01.159 which is an essential part of the gospel. 00:23:02.299 --> 00:23:05.299 So that is one of the things 00:23:05.299 --> 00:23:07.500 that the church is given to do, 00:23:07.839 --> 00:23:10.039 remind ourselves of Jesus' sacrifice, 00:23:10.039 --> 00:23:11.960 and then go out and proclaim it. 00:23:12.559 --> 00:23:13.720 And part of the way we do that 00:23:13.720 --> 00:23:14.859 is through the Lord's supper. 00:23:15.220 --> 00:23:17.659 So the communion elements inspire us 00:23:17.659 --> 00:23:21.000 to reflect and renew. 00:23:21.460 --> 00:23:22.720 Reflect and renew. 00:23:23.000 --> 00:23:24.359 Still back in 1 Corinthians. 00:23:24.500 --> 00:23:25.899 Let's go to the next few verses. 00:23:26.319 --> 00:23:27.099 Verse 27. 00:23:27.559 --> 00:23:28.019 So then, 00:23:28.359 --> 00:23:29.440 whoever eats the bread 00:23:29.440 --> 00:23:31.079 or drinks the cup of the Lord 00:23:31.079 --> 00:23:32.460 in an unworthy manner 00:23:32.460 --> 00:23:34.220 will be guilty of sin 00:23:34.220 --> 00:23:35.159 against the body 00:23:35.159 --> 00:23:36.159 and the blood of the Lord. 00:23:36.599 --> 00:23:37.139 Catch that? 00:23:37.140 --> 00:23:39.520 If you do this, 00:23:39.660 --> 00:23:40.660 what we're all going to do 00:23:40.660 --> 00:23:41.380 in just a moment, 00:23:41.920 --> 00:23:44.220 if you do this unworthily, 00:23:44.420 --> 00:23:46.040 you will be guilty of sin 00:23:46.040 --> 00:23:46.920 against the body 00:23:46.920 --> 00:23:47.640 and blood of the Lord. 00:23:47.780 --> 00:23:49.620 Let a person examine himself. 00:23:50.440 --> 00:23:51.360 In this way, 00:23:51.460 --> 00:23:52.420 let him eat the bread 00:23:52.420 --> 00:23:53.600 and drink from the cup. 00:23:53.720 --> 00:23:56.160 We are supposed to examine ourselves. 00:23:57.160 --> 00:23:58.560 Before we go on to this, 00:23:58.820 --> 00:23:59.540 I want to stay here 00:23:59.540 --> 00:24:00.580 for just a moment longer. 00:24:00.579 --> 00:24:06.639 We are supposed to reflect back 00:24:06.639 --> 00:24:09.039 on what God has been teaching us 00:24:09.039 --> 00:24:10.679 and working with us through. 00:24:11.139 --> 00:24:12.379 There might be failures 00:24:12.379 --> 00:24:13.500 going on in your life. 00:24:13.899 --> 00:24:15.119 There might be problems. 00:24:15.480 --> 00:24:16.299 There might be sin 00:24:16.299 --> 00:24:18.019 that you are continually giving into 00:24:18.019 --> 00:24:18.899 time and time again. 00:24:19.099 --> 00:24:19.879 There might be things 00:24:19.879 --> 00:24:21.000 you haven't repented of. 00:24:21.740 --> 00:24:22.759 There might be things 00:24:22.759 --> 00:24:23.859 you haven't confessed 00:24:23.859 --> 00:24:25.319 and made right. 00:24:25.319 --> 00:24:28.679 But this is a time 00:24:28.679 --> 00:24:30.419 to reflect on those things 00:24:30.419 --> 00:24:32.000 and let God renew you 00:24:32.000 --> 00:24:33.579 from the inside out. 00:24:34.319 --> 00:24:36.419 Let God make your heart right. 00:24:36.519 --> 00:24:38.439 There's not a 10-step program 00:24:38.439 --> 00:24:39.059 of penance 00:24:39.059 --> 00:24:40.079 that you have to go through 00:24:40.079 --> 00:24:41.139 to get right with God. 00:24:41.740 --> 00:24:43.899 It is simply putting your eyes 00:24:43.899 --> 00:24:44.700 back on Jesus, 00:24:45.279 --> 00:24:45.539 saying, 00:24:45.639 --> 00:24:46.779 God, I confess it. 00:24:46.879 --> 00:24:47.460 I'm sorry. 00:24:47.659 --> 00:24:48.619 Please forgive me. 00:24:49.419 --> 00:24:50.700 Thank you for your forgiveness 00:24:50.700 --> 00:24:51.899 that you've already promised. 00:24:52.899 --> 00:24:54.059 I know your blood 00:24:54.059 --> 00:24:55.099 has already washed it. 00:24:55.099 --> 00:24:56.459 You've already cleansed it. 00:24:56.759 --> 00:24:57.559 It doesn't affect 00:24:57.559 --> 00:24:58.779 my standing with you 00:24:58.779 --> 00:25:00.480 as a child with this father. 00:25:01.679 --> 00:25:02.959 But God, I know 00:25:02.959 --> 00:25:04.899 that I did what is wrong. 00:25:04.980 --> 00:25:06.519 I know I chased after the flesh 00:25:06.519 --> 00:25:07.579 and not the Holy Spirit. 00:25:07.879 --> 00:25:09.299 I know I let this bitterness 00:25:09.299 --> 00:25:10.079 get in my way 00:25:10.079 --> 00:25:10.899 or this selfishness 00:25:10.899 --> 00:25:11.559 get in my way. 00:25:11.819 --> 00:25:13.339 Whatever this sin is, 00:25:13.980 --> 00:25:16.219 we must make ourselves right 00:25:16.219 --> 00:25:17.259 before God 00:25:17.259 --> 00:25:19.939 before we then 00:25:19.939 --> 00:25:21.879 remind ourselves 00:25:21.879 --> 00:25:22.740 of His sacrifice 00:25:22.740 --> 00:25:23.939 and take these elements. 00:25:25.099 --> 00:25:26.359 So we should examine 00:25:26.359 --> 00:25:27.240 ourselves 00:25:27.240 --> 00:25:29.139 and then we can eat the bread 00:25:29.139 --> 00:25:30.519 and drink from the cup. 00:25:30.939 --> 00:25:31.740 Here's the key thought. 00:25:32.159 --> 00:25:33.159 The church ordinances 00:25:33.159 --> 00:25:35.039 are part of God's mission, 00:25:35.539 --> 00:25:36.980 not man's tradition. 00:25:37.839 --> 00:25:38.679 Y'all, it doesn't matter 00:25:38.679 --> 00:25:39.879 what the church 00:25:39.879 --> 00:25:40.679 has always done. 00:25:41.019 --> 00:25:41.199 Okay? 00:25:41.839 --> 00:25:42.480 It doesn't. 00:25:42.719 --> 00:25:43.199 It doesn't matter 00:25:43.199 --> 00:25:43.839 what the Catholic church 00:25:43.839 --> 00:25:44.359 has always done. 00:25:44.439 --> 00:25:44.699 It doesn't matter 00:25:44.699 --> 00:25:45.359 what the Baptist church 00:25:45.359 --> 00:25:45.980 has always done. 00:25:46.519 --> 00:25:47.059 It doesn't matter 00:25:47.059 --> 00:25:47.939 what First Baptist church 00:25:47.939 --> 00:25:48.459 of Henrietta 00:25:48.459 --> 00:25:49.159 has always done. 00:25:49.160 --> 00:25:52.680 unless it's what 00:25:52.680 --> 00:25:54.340 God has given 00:25:54.340 --> 00:25:55.860 to the church to do. 00:25:56.180 --> 00:25:56.980 Then it matters. 00:25:58.140 --> 00:25:59.560 There are good traditions 00:25:59.560 --> 00:26:01.300 that churches have adopted. 00:26:01.420 --> 00:26:01.820 You know why? 00:26:01.980 --> 00:26:03.060 Because they came from the Bible 00:26:03.060 --> 00:26:04.060 and God commanded them 00:26:04.060 --> 00:26:04.440 to do it. 00:26:05.300 --> 00:26:06.220 And then you build 00:26:06.220 --> 00:26:07.300 a rich legacy 00:26:07.300 --> 00:26:08.019 and tradition 00:26:08.019 --> 00:26:08.900 and heritage 00:26:08.900 --> 00:26:10.620 of obeying God 00:26:10.620 --> 00:26:12.040 and fulfilling His mission 00:26:12.040 --> 00:26:12.860 for the church. 00:26:12.859 --> 00:26:15.000 And that matters. 00:26:15.899 --> 00:26:16.599 So it matters 00:26:16.599 --> 00:26:17.519 that we've continually 00:26:17.519 --> 00:26:19.659 for 140 some odd years 00:26:19.659 --> 00:26:21.319 continued to gather 00:26:21.319 --> 00:26:23.519 in Henrietta, Texas 00:26:23.519 --> 00:26:25.359 and worship God 00:26:25.359 --> 00:26:26.099 and lift up Jesus. 00:26:26.519 --> 00:26:27.519 That's a tradition 00:26:27.519 --> 00:26:28.059 that matters. 00:26:29.019 --> 00:26:29.639 It matters 00:26:29.639 --> 00:26:30.879 that we have always tried 00:26:30.879 --> 00:26:31.479 to go out 00:26:31.479 --> 00:26:32.619 and spread the gospel 00:26:32.619 --> 00:26:33.539 to those around us. 00:26:33.619 --> 00:26:34.219 That matters. 00:26:34.699 --> 00:26:36.079 The church ordinances 00:26:36.079 --> 00:26:36.779 matter 00:26:36.779 --> 00:26:38.000 not because 00:26:38.000 --> 00:26:39.019 we've always done them. 00:26:40.059 --> 00:26:40.979 I pray that 00:26:40.979 --> 00:26:42.079 in another hundred years 00:26:42.079 --> 00:26:42.659 First Baptist 00:26:42.660 --> 00:26:43.180 Henrietta 00:26:43.180 --> 00:26:44.600 if God hasn't come back 00:26:44.600 --> 00:26:45.019 by then 00:26:45.019 --> 00:26:46.380 will still be 00:26:46.380 --> 00:26:47.440 carrying on 00:26:47.440 --> 00:26:48.540 these church ordinances. 00:26:48.700 --> 00:26:49.360 That they'll still 00:26:49.360 --> 00:26:50.759 be preaching the gospel. 00:26:50.920 --> 00:26:51.480 That they'll still 00:26:51.480 --> 00:26:52.759 be sending out people 00:26:52.759 --> 00:26:53.340 into the community 00:26:53.340 --> 00:26:54.060 to be a light 00:26:54.060 --> 00:26:54.600 in the darkness. 00:26:54.900 --> 00:26:56.279 I pray that they will be 00:26:56.279 --> 00:26:57.660 fulfilling God's mission 00:26:57.660 --> 00:26:59.680 not just man's tradition. 00:27:01.080 --> 00:27:02.120 So that's our key thought. 00:27:02.519 --> 00:27:03.240 What's our takeaway 00:27:03.240 --> 00:27:03.820 for today? 00:27:05.080 --> 00:27:06.380 These church ordinances 00:27:06.380 --> 00:27:08.360 we've been having 00:27:08.360 --> 00:27:09.360 quite a few people 00:27:09.360 --> 00:27:10.940 baptized this year. 00:27:10.940 --> 00:27:12.580 we're taking 00:27:12.580 --> 00:27:13.279 the Lord's Supper 00:27:13.279 --> 00:27:14.059 in just a moment. 00:27:14.539 --> 00:27:15.539 These church ordinances 00:27:15.539 --> 00:27:16.559 remind us 00:27:16.559 --> 00:27:18.320 to turn our eyes 00:27:18.320 --> 00:27:19.000 upon Jesus. 00:27:19.500 --> 00:27:20.600 When you see somebody 00:27:20.600 --> 00:27:21.360 stand up 00:27:21.360 --> 00:27:24.380 and fulfill 00:27:24.380 --> 00:27:25.799 the picture of Jesus 00:27:25.799 --> 00:27:27.279 hanging on the cross 00:27:27.279 --> 00:27:28.380 being buried 00:27:28.380 --> 00:27:30.700 and then rising back 00:27:30.700 --> 00:27:31.279 from the dead 00:27:31.279 --> 00:27:32.299 and you see them 00:27:32.299 --> 00:27:33.160 in that baptistry 00:27:33.160 --> 00:27:36.560 let's point our eyes 00:27:36.560 --> 00:27:37.240 back on Jesus 00:27:37.240 --> 00:27:37.759 and say God 00:27:37.759 --> 00:27:38.400 thank you. 00:27:38.840 --> 00:27:40.160 Thank you for your sacrifice. 00:27:40.840 --> 00:27:42.080 Thank you for your salvation. 00:27:43.540 --> 00:27:44.980 Thank you for the value 00:27:44.980 --> 00:27:46.300 you place on our lives 00:27:46.300 --> 00:27:47.019 that allows us 00:27:47.019 --> 00:27:48.660 to begin a new life 00:27:48.660 --> 00:27:49.120 with you. 00:27:49.640 --> 00:27:51.060 Old things are passed away. 00:27:51.420 --> 00:27:52.800 All things can become new 00:27:52.800 --> 00:27:54.320 with the Spirit of God. 00:27:55.320 --> 00:27:56.400 When we take 00:27:56.400 --> 00:27:57.820 this bread and juice 00:27:57.820 --> 00:27:58.620 in just a moment 00:27:58.619 --> 00:28:01.459 let's examine ourselves 00:28:01.459 --> 00:28:03.019 let's refocus 00:28:03.019 --> 00:28:04.139 our eyes on Jesus 00:28:04.139 --> 00:28:05.359 Hebrews chapter 12 00:28:05.359 --> 00:28:05.779 says 00:28:05.779 --> 00:28:07.439 looking unto Jesus 00:28:07.439 --> 00:28:08.139 the author 00:28:08.139 --> 00:28:09.319 and the finisher 00:28:09.319 --> 00:28:10.619 of our faith. 00:28:14.619 --> 00:28:15.339 So 00:28:15.339 --> 00:28:21.379 we're going to have 00:28:21.379 --> 00:28:22.000 a moment 00:28:22.000 --> 00:28:23.659 of quiet prayer 00:28:23.659 --> 00:28:24.199 and reflection. 00:28:24.200 --> 00:28:27.220 come on up 00:28:27.220 --> 00:28:28.100 and play a little bit 00:28:28.100 --> 00:28:28.580 on the piano. 00:28:30.460 --> 00:28:31.319 Let's do that 00:28:31.319 --> 00:28:32.019 right now. 00:28:33.120 --> 00:28:34.299 Let's bow our heads. 00:28:35.180 --> 00:28:35.720 I'm going to ask 00:28:35.720 --> 00:28:36.600 a couple questions 00:28:36.600 --> 00:28:37.500 because I never want 00:28:37.500 --> 00:28:38.580 to let a Sunday go by 00:28:38.580 --> 00:28:39.759 without giving someone 00:28:39.759 --> 00:28:40.360 an opportunity 00:28:40.360 --> 00:28:41.640 to put their faith 00:28:41.640 --> 00:28:42.480 in Jesus Christ. 00:28:45.279 --> 00:28:46.319 For the rest of us 00:28:46.319 --> 00:28:46.779 in the room 00:28:46.779 --> 00:28:48.259 I pray that we would 00:28:48.259 --> 00:28:49.319 take this moment 00:28:49.319 --> 00:28:51.299 for quiet reflection 00:28:51.299 --> 00:28:52.279 to re-center 00:28:52.279 --> 00:28:53.059 our focus 00:28:53.059 --> 00:28:53.860 back on Jesus. 00:28:54.200 --> 00:28:56.100 whether it's 00:28:56.100 --> 00:28:57.019 family or work 00:28:57.019 --> 00:28:57.720 or relationships 00:28:57.720 --> 00:29:00.100 or whatever it is 00:29:00.100 --> 00:29:01.080 that might be 00:29:01.080 --> 00:29:01.580 competing 00:29:01.580 --> 00:29:03.220 for your focus. 00:29:04.819 --> 00:29:06.240 Ask the Holy Spirit 00:29:06.240 --> 00:29:06.740 of God 00:29:06.740 --> 00:29:09.039 to resist the devil 00:29:09.039 --> 00:29:09.980 and he will flee 00:29:09.980 --> 00:29:10.400 from you. 00:29:11.420 --> 00:29:12.420 Ask the Holy Spirit 00:29:12.420 --> 00:29:12.840 of God 00:29:12.840 --> 00:29:13.640 to forgive you 00:29:13.640 --> 00:29:15.500 of your failings. 00:29:17.440 --> 00:29:18.660 Claim that forgiveness 00:29:18.660 --> 00:29:21.259 and say 00:29:21.259 --> 00:29:21.620 God 00:29:21.620 --> 00:29:22.480 I repent 00:29:22.480 --> 00:29:23.900 of my wrongdoing 00:29:23.900 --> 00:29:27.160 increase my faith 00:29:27.160 --> 00:29:27.500 in you. 00:29:28.000 --> 00:29:29.000 Help me to walk 00:29:29.000 --> 00:29:29.580 more closely 00:29:29.580 --> 00:29:29.980 with you 00:29:29.980 --> 00:29:30.660 hand in hand. 00:29:31.340 --> 00:29:32.300 Show me what I need 00:29:32.300 --> 00:29:32.600 to do 00:29:32.600 --> 00:29:33.320 to make something 00:29:33.320 --> 00:29:33.700 right 00:29:33.700 --> 00:29:34.700 that I may need to. 00:29:36.940 --> 00:29:37.700 Let's do that 00:29:37.700 --> 00:29:38.120 right now 00:29:38.120 --> 00:29:38.820 at these moments. 00:29:39.060 --> 00:29:39.580 We'll give you 00:29:39.580 --> 00:29:40.540 just a few moments 00:29:40.540 --> 00:29:41.680 of personal 00:29:41.680 --> 00:29:42.340 quiet prayer. 00:29:42.339 --> 00:30:06.240 with everyone's heads 00:30:06.240 --> 00:30:06.859 bowed and eyes 00:30:06.859 --> 00:30:07.139 closed. 00:30:07.139 --> 00:30:08.079 Let me ask this question. 00:30:08.179 --> 00:30:08.639 If there's someone 00:30:08.639 --> 00:30:09.259 here today 00:30:09.259 --> 00:30:10.319 who knows 00:30:10.319 --> 00:30:10.839 that they need 00:30:10.839 --> 00:30:11.279 to put their 00:30:11.279 --> 00:30:12.000 faith in Jesus 00:30:12.000 --> 00:30:12.819 for salvation 00:30:12.819 --> 00:30:13.359 and forgiveness 00:30:13.359 --> 00:30:14.099 of their sins, 00:30:14.299 --> 00:30:14.819 would you slip 00:30:14.819 --> 00:30:15.259 your hand up 00:30:15.259 --> 00:30:15.640 right now? 00:30:17.160 --> 00:30:17.700 Nobody else 00:30:17.700 --> 00:30:18.039 is looking. 00:30:18.160 --> 00:30:18.420 Just slip 00:30:18.420 --> 00:30:18.839 your hand up. 00:30:18.900 --> 00:30:19.279 Thank you. 00:30:20.079 --> 00:30:20.579 Thank you. 00:30:23.839 --> 00:30:24.500 For everyone 00:30:24.500 --> 00:30:24.980 else, 00:30:25.480 --> 00:30:27.379 I pray that God 00:30:27.379 --> 00:30:27.900 would continue 00:30:27.900 --> 00:30:28.420 to penetrate 00:30:28.420 --> 00:30:29.019 our heart. 00:30:30.779 --> 00:30:32.300 God indwells us 00:30:32.300 --> 00:30:33.440 with his Holy Spirit 00:30:33.440 --> 00:30:34.519 but our hearts 00:30:34.519 --> 00:30:35.160 are still dark. 00:30:35.860 --> 00:30:36.700 Our flesh 00:30:36.700 --> 00:30:37.160 is weak. 00:30:38.140 --> 00:30:39.120 We are corrupted 00:30:39.120 --> 00:30:39.800 by sin. 00:30:40.860 --> 00:30:41.620 We need God 00:30:41.620 --> 00:30:43.400 to overwhelm 00:30:43.400 --> 00:30:44.380 that with his grace, 00:30:44.660 --> 00:30:45.560 with his goodness 00:30:45.560 --> 00:30:48.320 and turn our eyes 00:30:48.320 --> 00:30:49.060 back on Jesus. 00:30:52.800 --> 00:30:53.340 God, 00:30:53.380 --> 00:30:53.940 we thank you 00:30:53.940 --> 00:30:54.779 for speaking to us 00:30:54.779 --> 00:30:55.279 from your word. 00:30:55.380 --> 00:30:55.880 I pray that you 00:30:55.880 --> 00:30:57.519 would be with us 00:30:57.519 --> 00:30:59.160 as we observe 00:30:59.160 --> 00:30:59.940 this ordinance 00:30:59.940 --> 00:31:00.819 of the Lord's Supper 00:31:00.819 --> 00:31:02.259 as you did 00:31:02.259 --> 00:31:03.220 so many years ago. 00:31:04.259 --> 00:31:05.740 Help us to turn 00:31:05.740 --> 00:31:06.440 our eyes back 00:31:06.440 --> 00:31:06.859 on you. 00:31:06.980 --> 00:31:07.500 It's in Jesus' 00:31:07.680 --> 00:31:08.180 name we pray. 00:31:08.960 --> 00:31:09.220 Amen. 00:31:09.220 --> 00:31:09.359 Amen. 00:31:09.359 --> 00:31:09.379 Amen. 00:31:09.379 --> 00:31:09.420 Amen. 00:31:09.420 --> 00:31:09.460 Amen. 00:31:09.460 --> 00:31:09.740 Amen. 00:31:09.740 --> 00:31:10.559 Amen. 00:31:10.559 --> 00:31:11.420 Amen. 00:31:11.420 --> 00:31:11.460 Amen. 00:31:11.460 --> 00:31:11.579 Amen. 00:31:11.579 --> 00:31:11.940 Amen. 00:31:11.940 --> 00:31:13.519 Amen. 00:31:13.519 --> 00:31:15.420 Amen. 00:31:15.420 --> 00:31:15.460 Amen. 00:31:15.460 --> 00:31:15.519 Amen. 00:31:15.519 --> 00:31:15.660 Amen. 00:31:15.660 --> 00:31:17.519 Amen. 00:31:17.519 --> 00:31:17.740 Amen. 00:31:17.740 --> 00:31:19.639 Amen. 00:31:19.639 --> 00:31:19.819 Amen. 00:31:19.819 --> 00:31:21.740 Amen. 00:31:21.740 --> 00:31:23.299 Amen. 00:31:23.299 --> 00:31:25.740 Amen. 00:31:25.740 --> 00:31:25.819 Amen. 00:31:25.819 --> 00:31:26.839 Amen. 00:31:26.839 --> 00:31:27.500 Amen.